"This survey is a wake-up call." That's a quote from Thomas J. Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, talking about our latest Census of Agriculture, which was recently released. What got his attention? Here's some statistics from the 2022 Census: The number of farms in the US dropped almost 7% since 2017 - a continuing decline … Continue reading Latest Ag Census packed with eye-opening numbers; what they mean, what we can do
If you're considering transitioning your farm to the next generation and are unsure of where to start, check out the latest webinar presented by the Farmland Access Hub, now available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_apbX53My8s Connect with Landseekers If you would like to list your property on the Hub's website or have it added to the internal confidential … Continue reading Farmland Access Hub: What to consider before making your land available to the next generation
Did you know land access is an emerging farmer's #1 hurdle to getting started? This data comes from the National Young Farmers Coalition 2022 survey. With prohibitive land prices and lots of deep-pocketed competition, it's hard for folks to get their foot in the farming door these days. So, What's an emerging farmer? The MN … Continue reading How you (yes,you!) can create land access for emerging farmers
FoxRAP made great strides in 2023 - our 2nd full year of operations. I'm happy to share here our Annual Report with you, our all-important supporters, contributors, partners, and community. With your support, we: Won a competitive $86K USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant to increase and improve direct-to-consumer markets and sales for local farms … Continue reading FoxRAP 2023 Annual Report
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com A farm is a farm is a farm, right? This comes up a lot in discussions about our project. As people become more urbanized, their only connection to agriculture is often a grandparent's farm that they visited during their childhood summers. "My grandfather used to say that once in … Continue reading What is regenerative farming anyway?
This weekend, I had the honor of meeting Dr. Temple Grandin, the world-renowned animal behaviorist, and hearing her speak in Stevens Point, WI. "Temple Grandin at TED" by Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0. She spoke on topics from visual thinking to livestock behavior to the importance of good breeding, and then … Continue reading Farming with Positive Uncertainty
It's overwhelming. It's complicated. It's emotional. Controversial even. You're too busy. You're never going to retire. None of your kids want to farm anyway. Any of this sound familiar? There's a mountain of reasons why you may be putting off writing your farm transition plan. These numbers say you're not alone: Only about 33% of … Continue reading Why you should begin planning your farm transition today
Do you have farmland that you would like managed according to your land stewardship goals? Maybe you: are a farmer hoping to pass on the management of your land are a widow/widower of a farmer inherited a family farm purchased a farm or recreational land that could be farmed, but do not farm yourself bought … Continue reading Leasing farmland to a beginning regenerative farmer
Our neighboring town of Ripon is home to South Woods, a 55-acre woodland preserved since 1902 - making it Wisconsin's oldest nature preserve - by a group of forward-thinking women who wanted to make a difference and save this special place from logging. The story is now also preserved in a beautiful short film. When … Continue reading Wonder, magic, diamonds: the treasures of (farm)land conservation
With climate extremes increasing in frequency and intensity, two mitigation methods regularly emerge - conversion to renewable energy and expanding regenerative agriculture. Both have their benefits. The problem is, they are increasingly competing for the same land. Wind and solar energy are now cheaper than fossil fuel. So project developers are eager to expand, and … Continue reading Renewable energy vs. regenerative agriculture: can we do both?
Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project 